A young couple and their two little girls, caught up in two jobs and two schools, and two houses, needed one home of their own to bond together, grow up and make memories in; a home of simplicity to be decorated by each of their discovering individualities. This vernacular home embraces nurturing and forgiving spaces for varying emotions and conflicts; to unite as Akam (അകം- Malayalam transl. core/ inside/ mind/ soul) of the family.
“To call this structure home is to whole-heartedly dwell into its many symphonies. The earthy and natural built-up makes you feel rooted to your land.”- Nishal Sevak(Co-Editor)
This Vernacular Home Embraces Nurturing And Forgiving Spaces For Varying Emotions | Ishtika
Visit : Ishtika
The 9.45 cents plot, one of many carved out into the windward side of a small hill in the urban outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, overlooks the valley on the East and has a 3.3m wide access street to the West.
The house is stacked with several layers of open and semi-open spaces that peel away as one traverses from the entry to the core of the house.
A plastered white wall metaphorically façades the view of the private yards of the house from the public and these open spaces transition into semi-open verandahs.
From the front open court one can enter into an elaborate Poomukham (പൂമുഖം- Malayalam transl. sit-out) that can host a small gathering or many of the activities of the residents like dance, yoga, or even playtime.
This cozy sit-out demands to be sat in, demands a pause, a moment of stillness, before entering into the enclosed parts of the house through the main door.
Inside, the enclosure is stretched and the volume is expanded into an internal courtyard rising two-storeys high.
The family living room and dining area has an internal court on one side and a verandah on the other with a view of the valley.
The floor plan is conceived in a basic ‘T’ shape with family/common spaces, which is given priority to ensure more family time, along the spine and private zones, like bedrooms and kitchen, on the arms
At the end of the hallway, there is a stairway leading to the first floor and a kitchenette that extends into the kitchen on one arm and the guest bedroom and the common toilet on the other. The first floor has two bedrooms on either arm and a living room in the center.
The verandah on the east broadens towards the south to become a semi-open living area, which is separated from the sit-out by an outdoor court with a pond. This area stands on top of a rainwater harvesting tank of 3500L capacity.
Free flow of light and air is ensured throughout the house using jalis, pergolas, air shafts, and louvered windows. Direct openings are avoided to the west to reduce heat gain.
The western wall of bedrooms is a double wall of thin exposed concrete on the outside and bricks inside with an air gap in the middle and a vent on the roof. An attempt was made to reuse and upscale old wood and roof tiles, adding to the charm of the house.
Fact File
Designed by : Ishtika
Project Type : Residential Architecture Design
Project Name : Akam House
Location : Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Year : 2021
Area : 2300 Sq.ft
Principal Architect : Jinoj Mathidharan
Photography Credits : Prahlad Gopakumar
Firm’s Instagram Link : Ishtika
Firm’s Facebook Link : Ishtika
Source : Archdaily
For Similar Project >> Veeram Shah’s Latest Architectural Masterpiece “Enclosure”, A Courtyard House
Editors’ Note – This colonial house in Delhi carries an ambience of grandeur, infused with the elegance of Victorian-style colonialism. Expansive living, dining, and kitchen areas open into light-filled spaces framed by large glazing that connect seamlessly to the surrounding landscape. Inside, tropical interiors with bold geometry add a contemporary layer of comfort. The residence […]
“Hilltop House” is envisioned as a contemporary yet context-sensitive residential project that harmonizes architecture and interior design to create a sanctuary perched on a scenic elevation. The design will respond directly to the topography, climate, and panoramic views, while delivering a highly functional, comfortable, and aesthetically refined living environment. This Hilltop House in Indore Is […]
In the layered urban grain of Manjeri, the Timeless House reimagines a 1970s sloping roof residence through careful transformation. It’s a home that doesn’t shout for attention, but quietly repositions itself within its time and place, a sensitive reinterpretation of memory, material, and movement. Originally built in 1972, the house was structurally sound, featuring load-bearing […]
Editor’s Note: There’s something truly special about homes crafted with thought and care—where every corner and detail speaks to its users, becoming part of their memories. For siblings Akhila and Kaushik, Sona Reddy Studio brought this vision to life in One Summer House, a rustic farmhouse tucked within the vibrant city of Hyderabad. Designed with […]
This southwest-facing bungalow, with golden accents in its interiors, is a refined expression of contextual and climate-responsive modern architecture. The home embraces its orientation with an intelligent façade design that balances aesthetic appeal and environmental performance. With the sun’s harshest rays hitting the structure in the latter half of the day, the architects incorporated a […]
This North Facing villa opens towards the East to always soak in the cool and diffused light. Its orientation is mindful of the adjoining clubhouse and its expansive garden. The planning allows the villa’s private lawn to visually merge with it, creating a larger and cohesive space. With a connection to the open space at […]
An Urban Sanctuary Woven with Craft, Warmth, and Light Explicitly tucked into a quiet residential pocket, this home with a jaali facade is a thoughtfully layered expression of calm, character, and craftsmanship. Every surface and corner is rooted in intention — where light, material, and memory meet. The Jaali Design in this Layered Home Exudes […]
Set in the serene landscape of Nashik, the Dabholkar Residence by GDA is a home, embracing stone clad walls. Here, tradition and contemporary design exist in harmony. Designed to reflect the family’s deep connection to tradition and art while embracing the style of contemporary living, it is a space where architectural details, heritage furniture, artwork […]
The Indian farmhouse accommodation goes on to capitalize on a mature evolutionary synthesis of ancestral aesthetics and contemporary features. With this, the outside and the inside of farmhouses became places of comfort with nature. In this blog, we delve into 15 incredible farmhouse designs that entail a harmonious blending. While they exhibit different spaces in […]
Aangan is a modern residence that seamlessly integrates with the lush environment of Kerala, showcasing a tropical home design. Designed to embrace the region’s warm climate, the house features a striking sloped terracotta roof at varying levels, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency. The structure is enveloped in a vibrant tropical landscape, adorned […]